Daily Inspiration by Dr. Jerry Burton

Listen to the Shepherd

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23.2-3

I have read these verses hundreds of times; used them at the graveside, preached from them … but … God showed me something new today – not new truth, but new truth to me. We have been told over and over that sheep are stupid. The Bible refers to us as sheep. Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John 10.28) Why did the shepherd have to MAKE the sheep lie down in green pastures? The sheep did not KNOW that he needed to lie down, but the shepherd knew. Why did the shepherd lead the sheep “beside the still waters”? Sheep are frightened of rapid running water. They will only drink from still water. The shepherd lead them PAST everything that would frighten them to a place of calm. The reason sheep need a shepherd is because they don’t always know WHAT they need or what is BEST for them.
V 3: “He restoreth my soul:” One thing a sheep needed from the shepherd every day was a personal touch. If the shepherd is walking through a field, sometime during that walk each of the sheep try to find a way to get to the shepherd and be able to walk under his hand so he can simply scratch the sheep’s head. Once that is accomplished, the sheep feels “restored” or refreshed. Do you think WE need a touch from the Chief Shepherd every day? I know I do. The path of righteousness on which He leads me is important because it is “for his name’s sake.” The purpose of life for us is not to glorify ourselves, but to bring glory to the One who redeemed us. I pray that we will allow the shepherd to make us lie dow when we need it and that he will bring me to a place of calm that I cannot find for myself. I pray that we will seek His touch and follow the path He chooses. Just my thoughts …